Bantubonke Harrington Holomisa[1] (born 25 July 1955)[1][2] is a South African politician. He is a member of parliament for and president of the United Democratic Movement.[1][2] and the current Deputy Minister of Defence.
Bantu Holomisa | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans | |
| Assumed office 30 June 2024 Serving with Richard Mkhungo | |
| President | Cyril Ramaphosa |
| Minister | Angie Motshekga |
| Preceded by | Thabang Makwetla |
| President of the United Democratic Movement | |
| Assumed office 27 September 1997 | |
| Deputy | |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism of South Africa | |
| In office 1994–1996 | |
| President | Nelson Mandela |
| Minister | Dawie de Villiers |
| Member of the National Assembly of South Africa | |
| Assumed office since 1994 | |
| 4th Head of Government of Transkei Chairman of the Military Council and of the Council of Ministers | |
| In office 30 December 1987 – 26 April 1994 | |
| President | Tutor Ndamase |
| Preceded by | Stella Sigcau (as prime minister) |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Bantubonke Harrington Holomisa 25 July 1955 Mqanduli, South Africa |
| Political party | United Democratic Movement (1997–present) |
| Other political affiliations | African National Congress (1994–1996) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Republic of Transkei |
| Branch/service | Transkei Defence Force |
| Years of service | 1976–1994 |
| Rank | Major General Brigadier (1985) |
| Unit | 141 Battalion |
| Commands | South African Defence Force |
Holomisa was born in Mqanduli, Cape Province.[1] He joined the Transkei Defence Force in 1976[1] and had become a brigadier by 1985.[1][3]
Holomisa forced the resignation and exile of Prime Minister of Transkei George Matanzima in October 1987[4][5] and overthrew Matanzima's successor, Prime Minister Stella Sigcau in a bloodless coup d'état[6] in December 1987. Holomisa then became the head of government of Transkei from 1987 to 1994, upon which Transkei was reintegrated into the "new" South Africa and Holomisa joined the African National Congress (ANC).[1]
National politics
editIn 1994 Holomisa was elected to the National Executive Committee of the African National Congress,[1][2] and was the Deputy Minister of Environment and Tourism of South Africa.[1][7]
Expulsion from the ANC
editHolomisa testified to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that Stella Sigcau should be investigated for corruption. Holomisa stated that Sigcau was involved in accepting bribes from South African hotel and casino magnate Sol Kerzner when she was minister of public enterprises in the Transkei government of George Matanzima. Instead of investigating the accusations of corruption the ANC accused Holomisa of bringing the party into disrepute. Holomisa then also accused the ANC of also accepting funds and kickbacks from Kerzner.[8] The ANC then expelled Holomisa[7] on 30 September 1996.[9] Deputy president Thabo Mbeki was instrumental in pushing for Holomisa's expulsion and recommended that there was no need to investigate Sigcau for corruption even though the circumstances of Sigcau accepting money from Kerzner were not in doubt.[8]
Founding of the UDM
editHolomisa co-founded the United Democratic Movement (UDM) in 1997[7] with former ANC executive member John Taylor and Roelf Meyer,[10] and was elected to parliament in 1999.[1][7]
Holomisa and the UDM supported a motion of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma on several occasions, including on 8 August 2017.[11][12]
Personal life
editHolomisa supports South African football club Kaizer Chiefs, for whom he declared his love in an interview with Radio 702 in 2015.[13]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "General Bantubonke Harrington "Bantu" Holomisa (profile)". Who's who of Southern Africa. 24.com. Archived from the original on 17 November 2007. Retrieved 14 December 2007.
- ^ a b c "Holomisa, H. Bantubonke (Bantu) – co-founder and president of United Democratic Movement". Contemporary African Database. The Africa Centre. Archived from the original on 4 October 2006. Retrieved 15 January 2009.
- ^ Pissarra, Mario (1 November 2001). "Holomisa, H. Bantubonke (Bantu)". Contemporary African Database. The Africa Centre. Archived from the original on 14 February 2007. Retrieved 15 January 2009.
- ^ Mgaqelwa, Abongile (8 August 2013). "Matanzima dies after hijack". Daily Dispatch. Archived from the original on 8 August 2013. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
- ^ "Chief George Mzimvubu Mathanzima, former Prime Minister of Transkei, dies". South Africa History Online. 10 November 2000. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
- ^ "Stella Sigcau dead at 69". Mail&Guardian. 8 May 2006. Retrieved 14 December 2007.
- ^ a b c d "Résumé of Mr HB Holomisa, MP". UDM. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 12 December 2007.
- ^ a b Mkhabela, Mpumelelo (2022). The Enemy Within. Tafelberg. pp. 12–13. ISBN 9780624091226.
- ^ "The rise and fall of Bantu Holomisa". African National Congress, Department of Information and Publicity. 30 May 1997. Archived from the original on 11 December 2007. Retrieved 12 December 2007.
- ^ Bell, Terry; Dumisa Buhle Ntsebeza (2003). "The nerve centre of apartheid". Unfinished business: South Africa, apartheid and truth. Verso. p. 30. ISBN 1-85984-545-2.
roelf meyer udm founded.
- ^ "Holomisa: UDM will support DA motion of no confidence". 702. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
- ^ "Filcon scandal: fresh claims". www.onlinetenders.co.za. Retrieved 23 July 2017.
- ^ "Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates: Celebrity Fans - Goal.com". Goal.com. 4 November 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2017.